Water Requirements for Shale Gas Fracking in Fuling, Chongqing, Southwest China. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Hong; Huang, Xianjin; Yang, Qingyuan; Tu, Jianjun; Li, Shengfeng; Yang, Demin; Xia, Hong; Flower, Roger J.; Thompson, Julian R.
• Is Part Of: Energy procedia. Volume 76(2015)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) -- shale gas -- water -- Fuling -- Chongqing -- China; Power resources -- Congresses; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power resources; Conference proceedings; Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2015.07.862
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1876-6102

Abstract

Abstract: Techniques used to extract shale gas, hydraulic fracturing or fracking, do have draw-backs not least the large consumption of water. We provide the first estimate of water consumption in Chinese shale gas fracking. A case study from Fuling, Chongqing, Southwest China, shows that average water consumption is 27490 m 3 per well, much higher (by 29%-160%) than in the USA. Data analysis indicates a significant correlation between water consumption and lateral length of wells ( p <0.001, r 2 =0.47). Water usage for fracking can impact the local environment, and careful management will be required to avoid worsen the water stress.